Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3
65 Imaging
36 Features
55 Overall
43


91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.8" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 24-1200mm (F3.4-6.5) lens
- 595g - 123 x 87 x 106mm
- Released January 2013
- Replaced the Canon SX40 HS
- Refreshed by Canon SX60 HS
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
- 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
- Introduced May 2009
- Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview
The following is a comprehensive review of the Canon SX50 HS versus Panasonic ZS3, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Canon and Panasonic. The resolution of the SX50 HS (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty similar and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

The SX50 HS was introduced 3 years after the ZS3 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Canon SX50 HS being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.
Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SX50 HS grades vs the ZS3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon PowerShot SX50 HS and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3. The whole galleries are viewable at Canon SX50 HS Gallery and Panasonic ZS3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon SX50 HS over the Panasonic ZS3
SX50 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | Newer by 45 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen resolution | 461k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Canon SX50 HS
ZS3 | SX50 HS | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.8" | Bigger screen (+0.2") |
Common features in the Canon SX50 HS and Panasonic ZS3
SX50 HS | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Neither features Touch friendly screen |
Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Canon SX50 HS enjoys outside dimensions of 123mm x 87mm x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).
Analyze the Canon SX50 HS versus Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SX50 HS versus the ZS3.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SX50 HS and ZS3 is 65 and 91 respectively.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison
Generally, it can be tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SX50 HS and ZS3.
Clearly, both the cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit different MP. You should expect the Canon SX50 HS to deliver greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The fresher SX50 HS provides an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon SX50 HS vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Canon | Panasonic |
Model | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 |
Also called as | - | Lumix DMC-TZ7 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Superzoom |
Released | 2013-01-15 | 2009-05-14 |
Body design | SLR-like (bridge) | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Digic 5 | - |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.08 x 4.56mm |
Sensor surface area | 28.1mm² | 27.7mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 10MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 5:4, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 9 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 24-1200mm (50.0x) | 25-300mm (12.0x) |
Largest aperture | f/3.4-6.5 | f/3.3-4.9 |
Macro focus distance | 0cm | 3cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.9 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 2.8" | 3" |
Display resolution | 461 thousand dot | 460 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 202 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 15s | 60s |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/2000s |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.50 m | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Second Curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/2000s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (24 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video data format | H.264 | AVCHD Lite |
Microphone input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 595 gr (1.31 lbs) | 229 gr (0.50 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 87 x 106mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 4.2") | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 47 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.3 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.2 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 179 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 315 photos | - |
Battery format | Battery Pack | - |
Battery model | NB-10L | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $429 | $200 |